PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The union representing SEPTA bus, trolley, and subway operators and mechanics voted unanimously Sunday to authorize a strike if need be, should negotiations on a new contract go south.
Will Vera, president of Transit Workers Union Local 234, says he’s proud of his members for voting to give him the power to call a strike at any time amid new contract negotiations with SEPTA, but that it’s not something he’s considering right now.
“I am not talking a strike. If SEPTA starts to bargain fairly, we will make progress,” he said.
Contract negotiations are set to resume on Tuesday, with the employee sick policy being the major sticking point.
“It’s really hard for my members to collect sick pay and there are too many penalties on my members if we don’t hand in our paperwork as soon as possible," Vera said.
The 5,000 or so members of TWU 234 have been working without a contract since Nov. 7. The union previously signed a one-year contract, and Vera says the goal this year is to sign one for two years, given the funding SEPTA was forced to transfer from its capital to its operating budget, which is said to last two years.
“Two years would be reasonable and it’s able not just for us, but for the citizens of Philadelphia," Vera said.
In a statement to KYW Newsradio, SEPTA said it is aware of the strike authorization vote and called it a normal part of the process. They said the talks have been productive and they look forward to continuing to negotiate in good faith.
Local 234's last strike was a six-day walkout in 2016.